Poverty cut-off: Montek flooded with questions

Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia has not been spared from the debate on the cut -off income of Rs 31 a day, which qualifies one as being above the poverty line. The Planning Commission's affidavit in the Supeme Court had claimed the amount was sufficient ensure a person was above the poverty line.

Though Ahluwalia is currently abroad, members of the Planning Commission seem to be functioning as a well-knit unit, keeping him updated on the developments. Ahluwalia has been at the receiving end of several messages and notes from members of the Planning Commission, as well as quarters outside the Plan panel.

Rural development minister Jairam Ramesh had yesterday written him a letter, saying the commission's formula to arrive at the poverty line demarcation was flawed. He also questioned how Ahluwalia had a way of identifying the truly poor, given their numbers were not pre determined.

Another note Ahluwalia received yesterday was from Planning Commission member Abhijit Sen. This, however, was less hostile and had enough humour to make the deputy chairman take the bitter pill with a smile.

Sen's email, titled 'Successor to Anna', began with a “wish you were here”, went on to compare the Supreme Court affidavit to the Anna Hazare scenario. It said the media had found a successor to Anna Hazare: The Planning Commission affidavit. The note also indicated how the members were kept in the loop, though at least some, like Sen, didn't seem to agree with the idea of the poverty line.

Sen said the media seemed to believe he had something to do with the affidavit, when in fact, he had always argued that the real issue was the criteria for the entitlement to BPL cards, not the estimates of the poor. He said he had been fending off TV debates, saying the affidavit merely clarified what the Tendulkar committee had recommended, and that Rs 32 per day should be seen as Rs 5,000 a month for a family of five. He wrote, “I was not privy to the affidavit finally submitted and would have preferred that this had addressed the real issue before the Supreme Court: Who should be entitled to BPL status, rather than the question how many Indians are poor.''

Sen told the Ahluwalia he had been telling the media they should speak to the deputy chairman or the member in charge, Saumitra Chaudhury, “with me out of the loop”.